With LeBron James' slow start to the season and Kevin Durant missing more than half of the games so far, this season's MVP race is the most wide open in years.
Using Player Efficiency Rating (PER, avg=15.00), Win Shares, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR), as well as team performance, we ranked the top players who can make a case for the MVP award so far.
As we enter the second half of the season Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Anthony Davis are the favorites. But there are nine other players who can also make a strong case.
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (previously: 2nd)
Team Record (rank in conference): 42-9 (1)
PER (rank): 27.4 (3)
Win Shares (rank): 10.0 (2)
Wins Above Replacement (rank): 11.88 (2)
One thing to know: Steph Curry changed his shooting form during the off-season and is now the best shooter in the NBA on the NBA's best team.
2. James Harden, Houston Rockets (previously: 3rd)
Team Record (rank in conference): 36-17 (3)
PER (rank): 27.3 (4)
Win Shares (rank): 11.1 (1)
Wins Above Replacement (rank): 12.74 (1)
One thing to know: James Harden is the best player on the NBA's most radical team and he is even playing defense this season.
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans (previously: 1st)
Team Record (rank in conference): 27-26 (10)
PER (rank): 31.8 (1)
Win Shares (rank): 10.0 (2)
Wins Above Replacement (rank): 9.73 (4)
One thing to know: Anthony Davis was recently named by Bill Simmons as the most valuable player in the NBA in terms of value to his franchise. However, this season, the Pelicans are in serious danger of missing the playoffs and that will hurt his candidacy.
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